Julian Araujo has opened up about the role Shaun Maloney played in helping him settle at Celtic after a difficult period that saw Wilfried Nancy leave the club soon after bringing him in.
The Mexican full-back arrived during Nancy’s time in charge. The manager pushed for the signing and Araujo expected to work under him when he joined the club. Instead, the situation changed quickly and Celtic moved in a different direction on the touchline.
That type of change can leave new players in an awkward spot. A signing made for one manager sometimes needs time to fit into another coach’s plans. For Araujo, the presence of Shaun Maloney helped ease that uncertainty.
Maloney stepped into the coaching set-up after Nancy’s exit and quickly became a familiar voice around the training ground. His understanding of the club and the dressing room helped bridge the gap for players who had only just arrived.
Araujo admitted that speaking with Maloney before completing the move helped him feel comfortable about the situation he was stepping into after Martin O’Neill’s return.
He said: (Sky Sports), “But before I came, I also spoke to Shaun Maloney.
“When I knew that Martin was going to come back, and he was going to be part of the coaching staff. I felt more reassured, I think.”
The defender has since become a regular presence on the right side of Celtic’s defence. At Pittodrie this week he played a steady role in a tight 2–1 win over Aberdeen.
Araujo supported attacks when the chance appeared but spent most of the evening dealing with Aberdeen’s counter attacks. His positioning helped Celtic avoid getting stretched during the second half when the home side pushed forward.
For players arriving from outside Scotland, the early months can feel chaotic. The fixtures come quickly and the pressure never really drops. Having a familiar figure inside the coaching staff can make the transition easier.
Maloney’s role has gone beyond tactics or training sessions. For Araujo, it was about reassurance at the moment he joined the club.
Now the defender is focused on the next challenge. Celtic travel to Ibrox this weekend and the right-back will likely play a key role again as the team prepares for another intense fixture in the closing weeks of the season.
